WCC Entrepreneurship Center Director Michel Jouret said this year’s pitch competition will introduce new competition categories, including skilled trades, arts and categories for returnees. She says the new categories “reflect the types of entrepreneurs we see in our community.”
Juliet is particularly excited that all of this year’s pitch finalists will be automatically accepted into the Entrepreneurship Center’s Startup Incubator. The incubator provides education and networking opportunities for current and new small business owners to launch or expand their businesses.
“We know from our research with entrepreneurs that they are most successful when they come from a family of entrepreneurs or are part of a community with other entrepreneurs. , we want to help build an environment where entrepreneurs can succeed,” she says.
In an effort to continue fostering an environment that fosters positive entrepreneurship, the Ypsilanti-based food truck, a participant in the Start-Up Incubator, queen of corned beef will be present to sell food to participants on the first day of the contest. Jure said one of the center’s main goals is to continue supporting entrepreneurs who launch businesses from the program.
“We have a goal of being an incubator for business owners who create economic development within their own communities,” Jure said. “The ongoing relationships with entrepreneurs are really great.”
In addition to competitions, Start-Up Week will also feature a variety of mini-workshops and networking opportunities hosted by representatives from companies such as Chase Bank, Google, and SensCy. Another new project is a free theatrical storytelling performance that “offers a thought-provoking discussion about entrepreneurship and the experiences that form entrepreneurs,” according to a WCC release.
“This is the first time we’re doing something under these conditions, and we’re really looking forward to it,” Jure said. “This is very similar to our entrepreneurial endeavors.”
We encourage you to pre-register for the Start-Up Week workshop.If you are interested, please register. here. For more information and a schedule of events, please visit the Entrepreneurship Center website. Website.
Riley Bairnsdale is a Michigan native and long-time resident of Washtenaw County. She hopes to use her experience as a journalist, writing for the Eastern Echo while attending Eastern Michigan University, to tell the stories of Washtenaw County residents who need to be heard.
Photo by JD Scott.
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